Valenciennes all but down

Valenciennes' eight-season stay in Ligue 1 is all but over following a 1-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Guingamp.

Valenciennes' eight-season stay in Ligue 1 is all but over following a 1-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Guingamp. Claudio Beauvue scored the game's only goal on the hour to move Guingamp to the brink of survival and Valenciennes almost certain relegation. VA are nine points adrift of safety with three games left and have an inferior goal difference to those above. Guingamp can now turn their focus to next weekend's Coupe de France final against Rennes. Steeven Langil volleyed an early chance wide for the hosts before Valenciennes tried in vain for the opening goal they desperately needed after taking just one point from their previous five games. Abdul Waris fired a David Ducourtioux cross narrowly over before the pair swapped roles - only for Ducourtioux to also miss the target. When Waris did find his range Mamadou Samassa pulled off an excellent reflex save. Macedo Novaes made an even better stop at the other end just before half-time when Jeremy Sorbon looked certain to turn in a Langil corner from close range. Novaes was at it again after the break, this time with a memorable reflex stop on the line to deny a Christophe Mandanne header. VA were relying too heavily on the heroics of their goalkeeper, however, and a minute later they were behind. Substitute Thibault Giresse's corner from the left was met by Beauvue at the near post and this time Novaes was beaten. It proved the decisive moment as VA failed to muster a reply.